Alumni Spotlight: Breaking Tradition: Nicholas Bost ’22 Explores the Future Beyond Conventional Real Estate Assets

Just a few years after earning his degree from the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego, Nicholas Bost is already reshaping the future of real estate—one telecom deal at a time. As Director of Acquisitions at TowerPoint, a national leader in digital infrastructure investment, Nicholas has carved out a path that’s anything but conventional. While many real estate graduates pursue traditional asset classes like multifamily or office, Nicholas found his niche at the intersection of real estate and technology—where rooftop leases, cell towers, and wireless networks are the new frontier. His journey from a business-savvy student to a rising leader in this specialized field is a testament to the power of early ambition, relentless hustle, and the right support system.

Raised in Southern California, Nicholas’s early exposure to business came through the influence of his mother, a successful marketing executive who raised him as a single parent. “I was raised by an incredibly intelligent and well-educated single mother,” he reflects. “At a young age, I’d visit her office and learn about the clients she was working with. Those were the moments that sparked my interest in business, and I naturally gravitated toward it.”

When the time came to pursue college, his decision to attend the University of San Diego was driven by the institution’s nationally recognized undergraduate real estate program, anchored by the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate (BMC). “USD offered a rare opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree in real estate with direct access to and support from the commercial real estate industry,” Nicholas explains. He also candidly shares, “The location and beauty of the campus didn’t hurt either.”

As a student, Nicholas embraced every opportunity to lead, learn, and connect. “I’m a big believer in just getting involved. A huge part of success is showing up and speaking up,” he says. He immersed himself in internships, group projects, and networking events, eventually taking on a leadership role as President of the Real Estate Society (RES). “Serving on the RES executive committee taught me the value of teamwork, listening, and relationship-building. Many of those relationships have lasted well into my career.”

In fact, his first real estate job came after following up with guest speakers at a RES event he helped organize. “I always recommend that students attend every event they can and participate fully. You never know where a connection might lead.”

One of Nicholas’s most transformative experiences at USD was participating in—and winning—the 2022 NAIOP University Challenge. The competition allowed him to sharpen real-world skills in underwriting, financial modeling, and public speaking. “I use those skills every day now,” he says. “And it reinforced the powerful role real estate professionals play in shaping communities.”

Nicholas credits much of his growth to the mentorship and network he developed through organizations like ULI, NAIOP, and especially the BMC. “The Burnham-Moores Center doesn’t just educate students—it integrates them into the broader commercial real estate community,” he says. “Mentors like Stath Karras, Patrick Kappel, and Bret Morris had a huge impact on me.” He also names several “mentors by example,” including Eric Hepfner (Hines), Doug Arthur (Sentre), and Tiffany English (Qualcomm)—all of whom inspire him with their leadership and integrity.

Nicholas also received several prestigious scholarships, including the Woodruff Scholarship, the BMC Real Estate Impact Scholarship, and the James Previti Foundation Current Use Scholarship, which supported both his education and professional development. Nicholas says, “I applied to every scholarship I could and didn’t expect to win. It was an honor to be selected for these awards, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the support from the donors that made them possible”.

A pivotal moment early in Nicholas’s career involved the acquisition of a multi-tenant office complex in Point Loma. His team creatively leveraged telecom lease assets to structure advantageous financing—a deal that introduced him to the digital infrastructure space. Today at TowerPoint, he plays a key role in sourcing and executing strategic acquisitions that support the firm’s national portfolio of cell tower and rooftop lease assets. TowerPoint is one of the largest privately held telecom infrastructure investment firms in the U.S., and Nicholas’s work is helping expand digital connectivity while reshaping the way real estate and infrastructure intersect.

Beyond his day-to-day work, Nicholas is committed to supporting the future of the industry. He serves on the board of ULI San Diego’s Young Leaders Group, where he oversees the Partnership Forum mentorship program. “Leadership is not just about what you know—it’s about helping others succeed too,” he says.

When reflecting on his journey, Nicholas offers candid advice to students and young professionals:

“The early stages of your career require patience, humility, and a commitment to learning. Don’t expect everything to fall into place right after graduation. Give yourself grace and run your own race—don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself.” Nicholas encourages students and recent grads not to feel so rushed: “Your first few years out of college won’t be glamorous. Your job is to add as much value to your firm as possible. Learn as much as you can, stay humble, and put in the work. The results will come in time.”

Asked what drives him, Nicholas shares a deeper motivation: “I’m inspired by the potential we all have to be exceptional. I want to lift others up and be an example, not just in my career, but in life. Great things are never achieved alone—it takes a team.”

When he speaks about the Burnham-Moores Center, his admiration is clear: “What I love most about the BMC is the people. Everyone there genuinely cares about the students’ success. The events they put on provide rare access to real estate professionals and create incredible opportunities you can’t find anywhere else.”

Today, Nicholas Bost stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when talent, drive, and mentorship come together. His journey is not just a testament to the strength of the USD real estate program—but a roadmap for the next generation of professionals looking to make their mark on the industry.